This classic work of political philosophy, first published in 1837, presents a powerful argument for the importance of legitimacy in government. Drawing on a wide range of historical and contemporary sources, Dillonlee argues that a legitimate government must be grounded in the consent of the governed, and that power should be exercised for the benefit of all. With its clear and persuasive style, this book remains a landmark in the field of political theory. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.